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Reserve Officer Program

The Portland Police Reserve Unit is men and women who volunteer their time and effort to make Portland a safe and pleasant community. Reserve officers are volunteers assigned to uniformed, armed duties or non-uniform, unarmed duties.

Reserve officers receive training in a variety of law enforcement skills both academic and tactical. The local Reserve Academy starts annually in September and lasts for approximately five months. Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings and on Saturdays.

All training is free. The Reserve Program provides its officers with uniforms and other equipment, but they must buy their own protective vest.

• Applicants will then need to log into the National Testing Network to complete the written test. Applicants are required to take the Frontline Written Exam with the National Testing Network (NTN). It is the applicant's responsibility to schedule the required exams with the NTN at https://www.NationalTestingNetwork.com.

• There are three (3) components to the FrontLine National examination: a video-based human relations test, a reading ability test, and a written language ability test. Testing takes approximately 2 1/2 hours. Upon receipt of test scores from NTN, the City of Portland will notify candidates of their pass/fail status on this test component.

• Please note that the NTN website provides a description of the test components and directions for scheduling a test for the Portland Police Bureau. The website offers a practice test for purchase with sample items.

• You must elect to have your scores sent to the City of Portland, Portland Police Bureau RESERVE POLICE OFFICER through NTN.

• If you have already tested in the last 12 months, please contact Officer John Shadron at 503-823-5712 and we can request your results from NTN and coordinate the transmittal of your score.

• There is a $45.00 fee associated with the testing. If this fee discourages the applicant from taking this test, a Scholarship to waive this fee is available for applicants to the Portland Police Bureau. This waiver is specific to Portland Police Bureau and your test results will only be valid for the Portland Police Bureau. The form can be found at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/523095.

• A photo ID will be required for admittance to the written test.

• Testing must be completed by the end of the day April 12, 2015. Testing dates can fill up quickly; it is suggested that applicants schedule as soon as possible.

How to Apply for Portland's Reserve Unit

Download the Portland Police Bureau Reserve Application (PDF), complete it and send it to the Reserve Coordinator before April 12, 2015.

More Information

To gain a better understanding of what type of service you could offer to your community as a volunteer Reserve Officer please contact the Reserve Coordinator Officer and/or apply to go on a Ride Along with an officer.

Reserve Coordinator:

Apply for a Ride Along:

To apply for a ride along with a police officer, please print the below form and return it (fax or mail) to the precinct of your choice. Make sure to include a specific date allowing at least three weeks for an officer to be scheduled for your Ride Along. Also include the specific shift you would like to experience: Morning 7am - 5pm, Afternoon 4pm - 2am, Night 10pm - 8am. Although you are not required to stay for the entire shift, we do ask that you dedicate at least 5 - 6 hours of your time. Ride-Along Request Form [PDF]